Christ is teacher

My face in the sun

My toes in the grass

I’ve prayed for these moments that sing in my heart

I’ve prayed and you’ve heard

You are near

Near to the faint in heart

Near to the overjoyed soul

Near on the roof and

Near on the dirty schoolhouse floor

In your nearness, teach me your voice

Teach me to dance on the mighty waves of holiness (Psalm 93)

Teach me to sit at your feet in awe (Luke 10:38-42)

Teach me your loving kindness Lord

Thank you for being a loving teacher!

Sitting with the Lord at the cerro de la Cruz in Antigua I wrote this not thinking I would be teaching at kings table about Jesus being teacher. This was the first message I’ve ever given and It was to over 15 women! Wow, what a blessing and a good reminder to my heart. Christ is teacher. Matthew 4:23

Over the past couple weeks God has really been teacher. He has pruned me and refined me to be more like him. He has allowed me to sit at his feet and listen to his voice and to his teachings. To be honest with you it hasn’t been at all easy. It’s been stretching, and hard but every time I lean on him, on his words, on his strength, I am so satisfied.

The song of my life

God put a song on my heart to live by

Put a song on my mind to dwell on

Put a song on my feet so I can dance

Put a song on my eyes so I can gaze at your face

Put a song on my lips to lift up your name

May the song of my life glorify you

May I be a dwelling place for your song of love to live

What I’ve been learning about God

• I have been set free from control and I live in the grace of Jesus. Romans 6:5-11
• Everything is covered in love. Love God more than anything else. Philippians 1:9-11
• God is near. He wants to hear from me. Psalm 145:18
• Take your thoughts captive and set your minds on things above. Romans 8:5-8; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Colossians 3:1-4
• What it actually means to put on the armor of God daily. Ephesians 6:10-20
• He does so much more than we could ever ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:14-21

This is a lot but it all ties together so perfectly. No matter what’s going on around me I can put my eyes and mind on Jesus, who will never leave or forsake me.

 

Dia del niño

Thank you all for your prayers! Our day with the kids went so well! We went to an amusement park, in Guatemala City with about 80 kids. Each of them were able to go for free! God was so good and everything ran super smoothly!! We also had so much fun on the roller coasters.

Ministry within ministry

The New Jersey team

Last week we had an amazing opportunity to work alongside a group of short term missionaries from New Jersey. It was so nice having people to talk to and to serve alongside. We were able to build over 40 beds in the village we work in, visit over 10 houses for house visits and prayers, put on a worship day with a puppet show, and dance a lot! The power of the Holy Spirit always amazes me! Despite language barriers God always speaks!

Dream tree ministry

Dream tree is a non profit children’s ministry dedicated to assisting communities in Guatemala. Their mission involves providing support with construction and repairs, as well as managing land for the development of school buildings. We did a kids program with a fun skit and teaching. After the dream tree team was able to do medical checkups for the kids. They also handed out these sweet bags with lunch. This program was held in a beautiful building, which is still under construction but will soon be a space for missionaries and interns to live in and a high school! If you want to check out more about dream tree head to the link!!

Dream Tree Mission | Legit, CEO Salary, Mission, 990 and more

 

As we worked alongside both of these ministries I was encountered with awe. Awe in the fact that we are people from all over serving the Lord in one place. We don’t have to have it all together or everything perfect to work for the Lord, we just have to have a heart of obedience.

 

Fun things and thanksgivings

• A couple of days ago we put on a mimed skit for the kids. We had to reenact the Bible story of the women going to the tomb of Jesus and instead of finding him there they find angels telling them he lives. We wore mime makeup and didn’t speak. So much fun!

• I went to this art store to get a new notebook and it just felt like home.

• There was this one crazy day of worship with the kids. It had been a long week and so I was a bit out of it. I was dancing with this little boy and as I look down he looks a bit overstimulated. I start talking to him in the little bit of Spanish I know and as I talk it looks like he’s about to cry. I ask his brother if he’s ok and then pick him up and set him on my lap. Within minutes he falls asleep. I sat there for maybe 30 minutes overcome by so much love from God. God knew I just needed to sit and be still with him with this sweet baby on my lap.
• My team as a whole has been so loving and so prayerful not just for me but for those around me. I learn so much from them and am just so thankful for them!
• We had pizza two days in a row. Who knew little Caesars white sauce pizza in Guatemala was so good.
• Kids and their art

• Fun unexpected kids programs. We had a piñata this past week!
  
• On Fridays Grade 2 usually has sports in the afternoon. The past couple Fridays the girls and I have been picking flowers, making “soup”, and they threw me a little wedding (I didn’t actually get married but they did think they were really funny) 😆

• I just love the smell of fresh produce. We usually bring some to the school to cook for the feeding programs. The garden, fresh soil and grass are a couple things that I do miss but the fresh produce brings me back to those days hehe.

• Níspero is this really yummy fruit that some girls picked for us! In this picture my finger nails are stained from some berries the girls used as nail polish (they aren’t bruised)

• Im always thankful for church and to go to Antigua!
• Kitchen floor picnics

• As always some food

• Scrapbooking

• Calling people
• Although I miss fall most mornings the air is crisp like a fall day. Go crunch some leaves for me and make some pumpkin bread if you think of it!!

Prayer

• Continual unity within our group and freedom in that.
• Some of my teammates haven’t been feeling the best. Reliance on God and also healing.
• We have a long week ahead with another ministry group coming in from London.
• Reindom and the leadership here. That we would come alongside of them well with encouragement.
• For a willingness to learn more Spanish. I want to learn but it’s hard to want to some days.
• For each of us to grow in our relationship with Jesus

As always thank you for reading! God is so great and I’m so thankful to be here. We are here a little less than a month before debrief and then Albania. It’s so crazy to think that this is just the beginning. God is continually doing a great work!! Have an amazing day!

In Christ and with so much love,

Sydney